Ruby
"Ruby!" someone called behind me, bringing me back to the present, as I looked up to find Max looking at me with a worried expression. "Are you okay? You zoned out there," he inquired.
I was currently sitting with all my friends, except for Sergio, as he couldn't make it. He had some kind of an emergency with work and had to rush off to Poland for it, or so he had said in his message which read:
Steve:
I'm sorry, I can't make it dear. I had to go to Poland due to an emergency. Please apologize to Pearl and Kendrik for me, and I'll make it up to you when I get back. Love you!
I had simply replied with an alright, my mind was still occupied with what happened earlier.
"Hey, you're zoning out again," Max's voice broke through my thoughts again, and I flinched.
Darwin, Mel, and Tiffany noticed my reaction and gave me unusual looks, waiting for me to explain.
"Sorry guys. I'm fine, just a bit distracted," I explained waving them off.
With one last look at me, they all turned back to their conversation, all except Max who stared at me a little longer in suspicion before he joined them.
Thank God, they bought my lies.
My mind has been preoccupied with Vexon and his sudden confession of love for me. After he had blurted that out, I was dumbstruck and decided the smartest thing to do was run away. And since then, I've been dodging him as best I can.
How could he possibly be in love with me when he only just met me today? This was our first-ever meeting? Plus, is love at first sight even possible?
Even so, he had mentioned earlier in his car that he had fallen for someone. Never would I have thought in my wildest dreams that it would be me. I mean, I don't even believe in love at first sight, heck, I don't even believe in love. I feel like I will never fall in love with anyone as I am a hopeless cause.
"Rubiline!" my mother's voice broke me out of my thoughts once more, as she smacked me lightly. Squealing in shock and pain, I turned to look at her.
"Ouch, Mom! What was that for?" I shrieked.
"It's your sister's wedding reception and you're doing absolutely nothing!" she snapped.
If I did nothing, how come everything was arranged and organized? Did I magically create a clone of myself and make her do all the work? I prepared everything from the start of the wedding to now so that I could enjoy it and my mom dare say I was doing absolutely nothing.
Urg! This was infuriating.
Breathe, Ruby, breathe!
"Pearl is looking for you. It's time for them to go," mom instructed.
Nodding at her command, I followed her as we headed for the exit of the venue. The exit was crowded with people, and as soon as Pearl spotted us, she ran towards us.
"Take care, Ruby!" Pearl cried and gave me a bone-crushing hug, her tears making my shoulder wet.
"I will, Pearly," I responded, forcing a smile. "You take care of yourself, too. Don't miss me too much even though I am special," I mocked, trying to lighten the mood.
Everyone chuckled at my comment except for Vexon, who was throwing daggers at me.
"I'll drop you guys. Your flight is in an hour," Cason informed Kendrik and Pearl.
"I want to talk to Ruby in private," Pearl spoke up, causing an awkward silence to fall over us until Kendrik decided to break it.
"It's okay. We'll all wait for you outside then," he said and approached me.
GIving me a side hug, he spoke, "Take care of yourself, sister, and don't worry. I'll take care of her, you just take care of yourself and mom. Also, don't hesitate to call me whenever you want. Stay happy always, love you." I smiled at his words, seeing the concern in his eyes.
"You take care too," I replied before he walked outside with the others, leaving Pearl and I alone.
She grabbed hold of my hand and held it between hers, tears still streaming down her face.
Thank the Lord for waterproof make-up.
"We won't see each other for a freaking month," she stated.
They were going to Miami for their honeymoon which would last a month.
"A lot of things will happen in my absence, good and bad. Of course, I will pray that it's all good, but we can't ignore the bad either. So be prepared for everything, Ruby," Pearl stated, and I nodded.
Why do I need this talk? Why are we even having it?
It was not like Annabelle was going to knock on my door tonight and I was going to welcome the doll in with a hug.
She continued, "Ruby, you always had more patience than me and mom. You're exactly like dad. You always control yourself and your anger. So even if the situation is drastic, dreams start shattering, life becomes nothing, never stop living. Face it head-on."
Even though I didn't need this talk, I loved her words. It always motivated me. I am like this, only because of her as she was my role model. My idol.
"Do you remember what we always say?" she asked and I nodded once again.
"Lovers gonna love, Haters gonna hate, but Ruby and Pearl never part ways," we said in unison, with a laugh.
"I might not be there in your good or bad times always, but I'm never going to leave you, Ruby. It's just that, there are some things you need to face alone, but don't worry. The Lord is always with you, so never stop being yourself and please give everything a chance," Pearl said before kissing my forehead. "Now let's go," she said letting go of my hand.
___
"We're going now, Ruby. See you later," Darwin called to me.
"Okay. See you!" I replied as Max yawned.
"Damn, I'm tired bro. Bye for now," Max greeted after Pearl and Kendrik left for a happy honeymoon.
I was now busy saying good-bye to my friends, as they were some of the last guests to leave. Leaving only the Bevines, my mom, and me behind.
With a final hug to the last of my friends, they left, leaving me behind with a weird sort of feeling. A bad feeling, which made me tense and uneasy.
Feeling like this was the last time I would hug my friends.
Shrug that stupid thought off, Ruby.
I scolded myself internally before I turned and headed in to find my mom. On my way to find her, I bumped into someone's hard chest. Looking up, my eyes met the blue orbs staring back at me deeply, yet despite being extremely handsome, Vexon looked like he was drunk.
Lol, no, I chastised myself, he was perfectly fine a few minutes ago. I guess I'm not seeing things right due to my tiredness.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled awkwardly and tried to move away from him. Instead, he grabbed hold of my wrist, making me flinch. "What the hell, Vexon?" I yelled.
Vexon gave me an evil smirk.
"Where are you going?" he asked and I narrowed my eyes at him.
Is he serious right now?
"To get married?" I joked.
Of course, I would not be getting married right now, but if he took that seriously then he was definitely nuts.
I could feel his grip tightening around my left wrist. He put his other hand on my cheek, on my cute chubby-mushy cheek.
"You're going to marry me, Gem. Only me," he whispered in my ear with a deep husky voice.
If he was in his right mind, I would have praised him for the nickname he had given me.
I liked it, it was new and refreshing.
But his voice sounded like he would kill me any moment, which made me gulp. I had to be strong, I couldn't show him that I was afraid. I will not be afraid, I will not be weak, especially not for a silly joke.
"Haha, marrying you is the last thing I would do, Vexon," I replied sarcastically and tried to release myself from his grip, but he tightened it further. I tried to prevent a squeak.
My wrist would bruise, my poor wrist.
"Then it will be the last thing you do," Vexon murmured in my ear.
Whoa! Isn't he taking this joke way too seriously? Also, what does he mean by that? Is he going to kill me?
"Ouch!" I squealed at the pain from his tight grip. Vexon came back to his senses then and released me with a sigh before he disappeared without even saying sorry.
How rude! He didn't even apologize.
"Well, that joke went a bit too far, for a moment there, I thought he was serious," I mumbled to myself.
I stroke my wrist that was throbbing in pain. If only I had said something earlier, he wouldn't have hurt my wrist this badly. Shaking my head to clear my thoughts and with my bruised wrist in hand, I went in search of my mom.
When I found her, I approached her.
"Your marriage with Steve is set," my mom said with a small smile, I mirrored her expression before hugging her. "I'm so proud of you, my baby!" she praised me, as we hugged once more.
I felt like she wasn't happy; as if she was hiding something from me. She loved Steve normally. Then what was wrong?
From a corner, I could see the intense gaze of Vexon, which I avoided.
Steve had sent a proposal to me through his mom to mine. I had first decided to reject him but changed my mind sometime after. Steve was the perfect guy for me, not only was he my best friend since childhood but also he knew me best.
Plus he was in love with me. Besides, I followed the proverb of old, 'Marry the one who loves you, not the one whom you love.' So, I was right in my choice, wasn't I?
What would I tell Vexon though? I had been avoiding him since he hurt my wrist and acted like a dictator. And when he heard my mother congratulating me and the reason for it, I had earned a dangerous glare from him.
I didn't want trouble with him. I walked through a long hallway, with many things troubling my mind. When suddenly, someone grabbed me by the waist and pulled me into a room, and without any doubt, I knew it was Vexon's touch.
"Wha-" I stopped mid-shout when my eyes fell on the person who grabbed me.
I didn't know how I knew it was his touch, but I had guessed right, and somewhere in my heart, I was happy that I had been right. Dusting myself off and stepping away from him slightly, I glared up at him.
"You better have a damn good reason or else-" I trailed off when Vexon once again grabbed my waist and pulled me to him. His actions sent shivers down my spine.
Good or bad, I was still unsure of which.
I thought I saw a flash of regret in his eyes, and maybe he was going to apologize, but I clearly thought wrong.
"Marry me or I'll kill your family," he threatened me in a deep, husky voice, tightening his grip on my waist, pulling me closer to him.
